Letters
“The Petaluma Police Department SWAT Team and I are sincerely thankful for the opportunity to use the former Kenilworth Junior High School site for training that helps us do our jobs more efficiently and effectively. With the type of training we conduct, it makes it difficult to locate training sites so we are thankful to have a community partner like Regency Centers.” — Lieutenant Joe Edwards, Commanding Lieutenant, Petaluma Police SWAT Team
“Not only is East Washington Place convenient, but I would much rather keep my money here in Petaluma and keep more cars off 101. I'm tired of having to fight traffic to go to Novato, Rohnert Park, or Santa Rosa for my basic shopping needs. That's why I support the East Washington Place proposal.” — Jody Mattei, Petaluma Resident
“As an educator at the elementary school level, I feel confident sending our students to the new, state-of-the art Kenilworth. Without the money funded by Regency Centers, we never would have been able to acquire the funds needed to relocate and rebuild the school. They are truly supportive to the city of Petaluma; Petaluma needs to be supportive of this project.” — Maureen McCusker, Petaluma Elementary School Teacher’s Assistant
“Regency Centers has been a wonderful landlord, continuing to provide Petaluma National Little League access to our baseball fields without expense, as we work together to relocate our baseball facility to Petaluma Junior High School.” — Troy Sanderson, President, Petaluma National Little League
“Petaluma's special character is what attracted me to and keeps me in this community. The East Washington Place project will bring more people into Petaluma to shop at our small businesses while they're chasing the products and price points they are currently finding in other communities. Clearly, it is imperative that we remain diligent in managing this mix of small and large businesses as the process itself is part of our character and critical to sustaining the Petaluma we cherish and work hard to protect.” — Danna Rocca, Petaluma Resident
“With the high cost of living in Sonoma County, and the growing number of low income families in Petaluma, the money the East Washington Place Project will provide for affordable housing is crucial for our residents. By supporting Regency's project, we are supporting the people of Petaluma.” — Welby Madsen, Petaluma Resident
“I would like to thank you for the opportunity to use the old Kenilworth Junior High School property for SWAT Training on 1/22/06. The training proved invaluable as accessibility to locations like this are rare. Enclosed is a letter of appreciation and an item from the Petaluma Police Department SWAT Team to express our sincere gratitude.” — Steve Hood, Chief of Police
“I take this opportunity to thank you and the Regency organization in allowing the regional law enforcement and fire service agencies access to the abandoned Kenilworth Junior High School in Petaluma, prior to your demolition of the property. For more than 30 days in the March/April time period, K-9 units, SWAT Teams, urban Search and Rescue Teams, Police Departments, and Fire Departments from throughout the Marin and Sonoma County areas conducted drills and exercises within the building on the old school property. Access to a training venue of this type is truly beneficial. Your cooperation in making this property available gave public safety agencies an opportunity to practice and improve their skills in a real-to-life environment. Again, on behalf of the law enforcement agencies and fire departments throughout this two-county region, thank you for your assistance in allowing us to improve our skills and subsequently, better serve our communities.” — Chris Albertson, Fire Chief
“It was through Regency's willingness to work with the District that we were able to sell the old school, use it for an additional year and construct a new school in the attendance area where the students who attend it live. This was a very complicated deal that Regency worked with the District to make it a reality.” — Steve Bolman, Deputy Superintendent Business Services, Petaluma City Schools
“I look forward to both those shopping opportunities coming into Petaluma,” Mayor David Glass said about Circuit City and Cost Plus. “This will go a long way toward shoring up our sales tax leakage.” — Press Democrat, 11/16/05
“At the ceremony, Mayor David Glass thanked Regency Centers, the developer that bought Kenilworth Junior High school for $22 million and plans to raze it to make way for a shopping center and housing when the new school is finished.” — Press Democrat, 7/2/04